As you will be aware, it is important to know and be able to write about the historical context of the literature texts that you have studied. Here are some really interesting and useful websites with contextual information about ‘Macbeth’ that you may not have been aware of! (Thank you to Mrs MacDonald for some of these links.)

http://www.shakespeare-online.com/biography/gunpowderplot.html

This site reveals the “deep connections” between Shakespeare and the Gunpowder Plot. Find out how “change after change was made until the play became a perfect propaganda machine that seemed to clear Shakespeare of any suspicion”.

https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/the-trial-of-henry-garnet-1606

This site tells the story of Henry Garnet, executed for his involvement in the plot. This helps to explain many of the references made in the Porter’s speech in Act 2 Scene 3.

https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/gunpowder-plot-medal

Finally, learn about the Gunpowder Plot medal, the inspiration behind Lady Macbeth’s famous line, “Act like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t”.

A couple more revision websites to help you revise Macbeth:

https://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth

https://www.litcharts.com/lit/macbeth

Both sites feature loads of great resources, including analysis of all the scenes, key quotes and character and theme summaries.

Mrs Wood has found this great revision guide for Macbeth. It includes revision tips, exam tips, sample answers and lots of practice questions!

Click here for the guide: https://www.stokenewingtonschool.co.uk/asset/1911

This Quizlet features some of the commonly used words in Shakespeare. If you can master these, you will find it much easier to understand the language used by Shakespeare and be much more confident going into your exam. As with all revision, a few minutes of this Quizlet every day makes it much easier to learn than trying to cram in everything at once!

https://quizlet.com/gb/426157234/rossett-shakespeare-glossary-macbeth-flash-cards/